DIY Spring Decor

One of the reasons for wanting to have two shows this year is to display seasonly-themed wedding decor. Using repurposed vintage bedding and lace curtains this handmade fabric garland will be on display at the Mini Spring Pop-Up Fair.  To reflect the West Coast spring colours, yellow is our main colour theme at the upcoming show on April 21st.

Cutting fabric rounds of 3-4 inches and sewing them in mixed colours of 10 circles each we are creating beautiful and easy fabric garlands.  Each bundle is knotted along the string to ensure they all stay neatly in place.  All fabric used was collected from thrift shops and given new life.  The wonderful thing about this type of garland is that it can reused to decorate almost any event post-wedding.

The paper pinwheels are cut from pages in an old German book that was marked for recycling.  The text and font are quite exquisite.  The pages are folded accordian style and then 2 sheets are glued together to create the circle.  When cut in different dimensions and used together in a display they create a lovely backdrop. 

All handmade elements and many more will be on display at The Grassroots Wedding Fair Mini Spring Show. 

Article and photos by Shona Dion, sweet earth photographics.

True Vintage Inspirations

Finding vintage table settings and decor is like  treasure hunting.  It is a dedicated pastime which requires a commitment.  Not all of us have time to dedicate to the search.

For those couples wishing to add vintage elements to their wedding need look no further than Aroka Vintage.  Dawna Graham researched and collected for 2 years before opening the first Aroka Vintage in New Westminster.  Aroka Vintage is now located at 2231 Clarke Street in Port Moody in a beautiful old house that is a storefront for not only the incredibly tableware and vintage decor collection, but also a treasure trove of true vintage finds and local artisan creations.  This collection includes themes for 1930′s inspired weddings, place settings of fine bone china for up 150 guests, furniture, a harvest table, quirky novelty items such as antique bingo cages, chalkboards, table settings and more.

Aroka’s new website will be up in April 2012 with photos of this extensive collection.

Dawna Graham has a unique love of vintage and has a passionate, undying love for the past.  She is captivated by the stories that objects leave behind.  The store is still evolving but trust that only true vintage items are found in Aroka.  No reproductions and no claims are made on items unless Dawna is 100% certain.  Aroka Vintage will always offer authentic finds and this will never be compromised.

The few local artisans that Dawna carries in her store have vintage elements in their creations whether the jewelry be reworked or repurposed or items found made into new.  “Inky & Boots“, “Secrets From the Cove“, ” Whatever Lola Wants…” are a few of  the artists Aroka Vintage carries.  ”There is no labour of love” without the upcycling and handmade element in the items she carries.

Dawna herself creates handmade treasures such as an updated 1970′s chandelier revamped with vintage piano sheets or vintage watchpocket faces sitting atop of pinwheels made from antique music sheets.  Everything she creates for the store must also include making something from something old.

By late spring and summer Aroka Vintage will be host to bridal shows, tea parties and small weddings.  With a working kitchen,bathroom and a large backyard along with Dawna’s vintage decor the space will welcome a myriad of visitors. 

Aroka Vintage only has wedding dresses that have passed inspection by Dawna.  All items in the boutique ‘bridal room’ have been scrutinized, are nearly flawless and are professionally cleaned.   Dawna specializes in her vintage finds and does not carry dresses that may compete with other bridal stores.  Her only compromise is carrying the vintage inspired handmade creations of Pure Magnolia.   

The lace gloves and stockings, purses, hats and feather fasteners are near mint. The bloomers, jewelry, handkerchiefs and pillows are all unique finds.  Aroka also has formal dresses which can be worn by the bridal party or simply because of a love of vintage.

For those couples who are truly inspired by history and a love of the past, vintage themed weddings are not merely ‘trendy’, but a true reflection of oneself.  For those who have a commitment to hosting a wedding that is eco-friendly and handmade, then take a visit out to Aroka Vintage in Port Moody or come and see the wonderful display Dawna will have on hand at the Mini Spring Grassroots Wedding Fair on April 21st, 2012!

article and photos by: Shona Dion, www.sweetearthphotographics.com

DIY Ideas you CAN do yourself

There is something about a wedding that can bring out the inner artist.  It is time to plan one of the biggest parties of your life, celebrate life, love and happiness with your key people, and go wild (or not) with some great artistic ideas.  Many websites exist for great inspirational ideas, but you do not have to look far for creative inspiration in this city.

What I really really like about Vancouver in the past few years is the great crafting movement that is blossoming.  The past Christmas season was spectacular with multiple markets filled with amazing artisans.

One of those market places and hubs of artistic inspiration is Blim, a community based arts resource centre.  They not only put on markets, but have classes that encourage diverse expressions of art at all levels.  Check out their schedule and add a unique flair to your wedding.

So, a little word about Blim!

BLIM is a Community Based Art Resource Center which facilitates screen-printing, button making, drawing, knitting, local underground audio, film screenings, animation, video, dance, spoken word, visual art, creative workshops, and crafts in the independent field.

BLIM is conveniently located in the heart of Vancouver’s DIY art spaces on Main Street.

BLIM believes in presenting work that is still deemed as art, yet not quite embraced by the music world or gallery context, but deserves a platform for expression. As well as to facilitate the general public towards creative projects.

BLIM is a non-funded arts facility run by and for artists and community? This requires the hard work of Yuriko Iga, Noel Macul, and the many volunteers.

In order to remain autonomous to governments systems, it is our choice to act as a market-driven business without funding. We have managed to survive solely on sales, service, and the wonderful support of the people of Vancouver for the past 5 years.

BLIM also raises funds by collaborating with various organizations both in the arts, media, and community field such as Powell Street Festival, Public Dreams, Langara Institute, Emily Carr, New Music Vancouver, and VIVO.

BLIM has received coverage in the local entertainment arts guide and was voted best “Low profile event space” in Vancouver Magazine, as well as “Best Innovative Arts Space” in the Terminal City.

We just recently got voted “Best Place to Whip up some Art” in the Georgia Straight.

BLIM COLLAGE BUTTON MAKING

Monday, January 11/February 8 | 7 – 10 PM | $20
Featuring: Yuriko Iga

Group Rate (6–8 people or more): 10% OFF/person

Mini art, collage, graphics, drawings, or text in a 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″, 2″ or 3″ button. Bring images in 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″, 2″, or 3″ round format, or the materials you wish to work with. We provide other materials such as magazines, reference books, photocopier, markers. 25 buttons of any size included. There will be a snack bar, good music, and fun to be had!

PLEASE PAY 48 HRS BEFORE WORKSHOP.

GOCCO PRINTING

Saturday, January 9/February 13 | 2 – 5 PM | $60 (includes all materials)
Featuring: Kaytee Kilgour

Group Rate (6–8 people or more): 10% OFF/person

Learn to make your own beautiful hand printed greeting cards using the Japanese Print Gocco Machine. Gocco is a portable hand held screenprinting device invented by the Japanese to make mess free screenprinted cards at home.

Please bring your 4″ × 5″ image on black & white carbon photocopy. The cost of workshop is $60 for whole afternoon which includes 20 cards with envelopes. We provide other materials such as inks, screens and bulbs.
There will be a snack bar, good music, and fun to be had!

www.savegocco.com

SCREENPRINTING

Water based, oil-based, vinyl based inks.

Group Rate (6–8 people or more): 10% OFF/person

Level 1: Wednesdays, 6:30 – 10 PM Emulsion application and water-based inks

workshop-$58 (incl. tax & service charge)

$50

DIY Wedding Ideas

Sometimes when it comes to our weddings we want to do things ourselves.  We can be inspired to great heights from the work of others and desire to recreate the idea.  Isn’t it great then to find a site that offers these inspirational ideas up for recreation. 

Craft: transforming traditional crafts  is an online blogging community that offers up great ideas for many crafting projects.  Simply enter ‘wedding’ into the search box and you will be rewarded.  Sometimes all we need is an idea to get us started.  Inspiration for all you crafty couples-to-be is at your finger tips.

At The Grassroots Wedding Fair we shall have mini design installations with great DIY decorating ideas on display for craft savvy couples-to-be to recreate.  On our main website we shall the ideas posted with instructions to follow.  We will have a few sneak peaks up soon as all our busy craftors are working away on design ideas right now.  We may be competing with Santa and his elves.